Part 1: Executing The Plan

[Reigning Black]

Part 1: Executing The Plan
Reigning Black



All eyes on the self-proclaimed King as he aired "The Decision," Gregg Popovich, R.C. Buford and Co. awaited the final verdict. The Spurs' front office awaited the biggest and most significant domino to be set into motion, as to reveal the landscape in its wake.

Thanks to Ticket 760 and the Union Leader, we now have an idea as to what this newly found landscape means to the Spurs -- the Spurs have apparently come to agreements with Tiago Splitter, Richard Jefferson and Matt Bonner, which would all-but complete their frontline and lock them into a roster with minimal addition, sans a trade.

Splitter -- a 25-year-old Brazilian bigman -- has long been on both the NBA and Spurs' radar. His draft status became a bit of a running joke, as word of his presence in it goes back to as far as 2004. He was thought to finally declare for the 2006 NBA Draft but with teams reluctant to use a high pick on him for fear of a contract buyout, Splitter would remain with his Spanish team. In 2007, at the age of 22, Splitter became automatically eligible for the NBA Draft. Still under contract and overseas with his Saski Baskonia team -- then sponsored by Tau Ceramica -- the Spurs would select him with the 28th overall pick in the NBA Draft.

Knowing full well Splitter was a year away from joining the team, the Spurs simply capitalized on an opportunity to draft a lottery talent that wouldn't otherwise be available to them. They were competing for championships -- just coming off their fourth -- and the value to be had with the 28th pick was just too great to pass on. Splitter would have another year to season his game in one of the finest leagues outside the NBA -- Spanish ACB -- and would seemingly be available to join the Spurs the following year. But confronted with a severely ill sibling and an economic downturn -- one that presented Splitter with an opportunity to sign a contract worth 8-times the rookie pay-scale the NBA had to offer -- the Spurs would have to wait at least another year. Splitter re-signed with his Spanish League team, Caja Laboral (Tau Ceramica sponsored Saski Baskonia before ceding way to Caja Laboral; like billboards... these things change), on a two-year deal that would keep him overseas through the 2009-2010 NBA season.

Continue Reading >>>>
http://reigningblack.blogspot.com/2010/07/part-1-executing-plan.html#more

[Reigning Black]

Part 2: Executing The Plan

Just posted this last night.
http://reigningblack.blogspot.com/2010/07/part-2-executing-plan_15.html

Leave a comment at the blog and let us know what you think; and let us know if there's something you'd like for us to cover or you'd just like to read about.

[co_laper]

It's good... It's kinda long and it doesn't exactly tell us anything we don't know. But for the general fans who wanted to get an in-depth look on the Spurs, this will be a good read for them.

[Reigning Black]

It's good... It's kinda long and it doesn't exactly tell us anything we don't know. But for the general fans who wanted to get an in-depth look on the Spurs, this will be a good read for them.

Appreciate it, co_laper. Yeah, this was more about setting the table and getting it all out there to assess where they are and where they go from here.

This is a new venture for Eric and myself but we're hoops junkies that really have a passion for the Spurs -- some might say a sickness -- and we're just looking to find a niche to provide some quality content for a Spurs team that doesn't get the ink of other prominent teams.

As we move along and get our footing, you'll probably see a bit of news broke and things of that nature, but for now we'll mostly be in-depth analysis with a good amount of opinion.

[SApuro_]

Good job. You could have elaberated more on the luxury tax portion. Really enjoyed the read overall.

[Reigning Black]

Good job. You could have elaberated more on the luxury tax portion. Really enjoyed the read overall.

Thanks, SApuro. I actually just got done revising it, since news was breaking with Bell as I was writing and I ended up cramming a bit too much in it in my haste to meet a deadline I set.

As for the luxury-tax, we'll definitely address matters like that. As a matter of fact, we've done a couple of pieces on such. The last being "Death, Taxes and Bruno (Opt-Out Capology)," which can be seen here: http://reigningblack.blogspot.com/2010/07/death-taxes-and-bruno-opt-out-capology.html

Once we get some more solid numbers on Splitter and Bonner and find out about the partially and non-guaranteed guys, among other factors, we'll be able to give a clearer picture. For now, basically assume the Spurs were going to be about $10M over the tax had Jefferson not opted out on next year's roster, and that the Spurs will most likely use the space created as a way to fill out their roster with salaries that keep them below the tax line and not to the assumed levels before the opt out.

I don't believe they'll have a problem being a tax-payer by year's end, should the right opportunity arise, but I don't see an opportunity presenting itself like that prior to the season's start -- thus the Spurs won't spend to just spend.

[co_laper]

Oh and also, I remember reading something about you saying Jefferson is resigned. And that's wrong. That's all speculations right now. We all hope that we don't just lose Jefferson for nothing and force Hairston to play 35 minutes replacing him, but the talks about him having a deal in place with the Spurs and everything are just talks. Fact is, the Spurs have yet to resign him and obviously that means he's still out there looking around. I don't think you should just assume he's back until he's really back.

[Reigning Black]

Oh and also, I remember reading something about you saying Jefferson is resigned. And that's wrong. That's all speculations right now. We all hope that we don't just lose Jefferson for nothing and force Hairston to play 35 minutes replacing him, but the talks about him having a deal in place with the Spurs and everything are just talks. Fact is, the Spurs have yet to resign him and obviously that means he's still out there looking around. I don't think you should just assume he's back until he's really back.

I assume you're referring to this: "all signs point to Jefferson donning the Black and Silver sometime shortly."

From what we've been able to ascertain, that's a true statement. There are obviously no absolutes but just about every indication leads us to believe the Spurs are letting him test his value and find a favorable deal and then proceeding from there.

I did in fact say: "Richard Jefferson is the only true small forward on the roster, and he technically isn't even on the roster. But if we're to assume that he will be manning the position for the Spurs this year..." and it was only used as a means to project moving forward.

I believe Jefferson will be with the Spurs when it's all said and done. But if something crazy should happen -- and after his opt-out, that's a legitimate possibility -- I still don't see the Spurs losing him without compensation. Jefferson needs the Spurs possibly more than they need him and the best way for him to get his money and/or land on a team more desirable to his game, is to leave via sign-and-trade. The Spurs should be able to get a player or two and maybe even something of greater value: a trade exception

[co_laper]

huh??? Well it's gone now... Or did i just dream it?

I remember there's one paragraph titled Spurs sign Splitter, Jefferson, and Bonner and I remember you talked as if the Spurs already signed him but only the details aren't out yet.

Oh well, either it was never there or it's been revised. Anyways good job. I'll say that you sure sounds like you know your Spurs stuff very well.

[Reigning Black]

huh??? Well it's gone now... Or did i just dream it?

I remember there's one paragraph titled Spurs sign Splitter, Jefferson, and Bonner and I remember you talked as if the Spurs already signed him but only the details aren't out yet.

Oh well, either it was never there or it's been revised. Anyways good job. I'll say that you sure sounds like you know your Spurs stuff very well.

Don't worry, you're not crazy and nothing was revised to that degree (I only removed some unnecessary fluff and filler from Part 2).

In Part 1, I did say this: "The Spurs are also believed to have come to terms with Richard Jefferson," which was the belief at the time -- it was reported from KTKR Ticket 760 along with the news of Splitter and about the same time the Union Leader broke news of Bonner's re-signing.

Here's the link where Jim Bob Breazealle let us in on what was told to Ticket 760 by a person inside the Spurs organization: http://bit.ly/b0IbtY

I'm guessing they don't want a leak given the nature of negotiation and the fact that it could prevent another team from showing interest in Jefferson, but it's all speculative.

We should know within the next week or two what's going to happen with Jefferson, and I'll personally be thankful when this whole saga's over -- I just want to know who they're rollin' with and if they can address their needs internally or externally.

For all you Twitterers, come follow us and make us feel important. Be a trend setter; say you knew us when (lol) http://bit.ly/bOY4u7

[soxxx]

Damn we have so much potential with Duncan, Splitter, Parker, Ginobli, Hill, Blair, Jefferson.....

Hopefully we can do it one last time this year.

[Reigning Black]

I went ahead and noted when the piece was written, co_laper, as to avoid any confusion.

Thanks for the advice and taking the time.